WOTC - Paid article on website

Wisdom of the Crowd: 31% of participants in this survey prefer to subscribe to a website to read all the article for a fixed monthly fee. 28% prefer to pay $0.10 for an article that they like to read.

https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1416

Basic thinking skills to educate the electorate

I share this contribution by an anonymous person. I suspect that he wants the electorate to be thinking and not fooled by the PAP.
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1713

Improve governance

In this post, I have made two important suggestions to improve the governance of Singapore.

a) Appoint ombudsman to look into complaints of abuse by public officials

b) Appoint an innovation panel that hear suggestions from the public on improving govt policies. This panel has access to the ministers.

If we really want to make significant change, we need these two new tools.

Agree?
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1709

#HearMeOut

Here are the feedback with the most views. Remember to vote and also give your comments.
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/most_view.aspx

Improve signs in Singapore

The signs in Singapore are helpful in some ways but there are too many instances where they are not helpful and poorly located.

Do you agree?
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1712

Share the walkway with cyclists and PMD users

I was walking on the pathway.

There was a bicycling ring behind me. I walked to one side. A cyclist rode by and said, "thank you".

I do not mind sharing the path with cyclist and PMD users, provided that they move slowly and give signal.

I do not want them to use the road. It can be dangerous for them. The cars drive too fast.

I do not agree with pedestrians who ask for cyclists and PMD users to be barred from using the paths.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1711

Rise of China

Prof Richard Wolff explains the significance of the rise of China and how it adopted a different strategic from Russia.

You will be able to read this link tomorrow - as it is restricted to subscribers today.

You need to hear his full 1 hour analysis to get a better idea about the view from another side - different from what is presented in the western media.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/economic-update-27993100…

How can Singapore survive in the post-globalization world?

After attending the G20 meeting in Osaka, PM Lee said that the world leaders did not make much progress on the challenges facing the world - on climate change, trade, economic growth.

My comment is - That's right. We are entering into a post-globalization world.

Where will that leave Singapore? We need a new strategy to survive. Can the PAP find the solution? I don't think so. PM Lee should be open to ideas from the citizens.

Let me give my contribution.
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1710

Truce in US China trade war

New York Times:

A China-U.S. Trade Truce Could Enshrine a Global Economic Shift
President Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, meeting on Saturday in Osaka, Japan.

President Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, meeting on Saturday in Osaka, Japan.

OSAKA, Japan — The spin from President Trump and China’s propaganda machines on Saturday portrayed a truce in a trade war that has shaken economies and markets around the world. Tariffs won’t rise further, at least not yet. And the United States will loosen its potentially devastating punishments against Huawei, China’s most successful multinational company.

Yet the outlines of the tentative peace accord President Trump reached on Saturday with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, could further cement a broad reshuffling of the global economic order that undermines China’s decades-long role as the world’s factory floor.

The details of the discussions between Mr. Trump and Mr. Xi on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Osaka, Japan, still are not clear. The two sides have agreed to resume talks, but the ultimate results are not guaranteed. Their differences could still derail a fragile peace in an economic conflict that has thrown a shadow over the outlook for global growth.

Even a fragile truce could have lingering implications. The United States would keep in place broad tariffs on Chinese goods for months or perhaps years to come. Global companies would almost certainly respond by continuing to shift at least the final stages of their supply chains out of China.

Wisdom of the Crowd

Make your vote count by voting on these issues
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/active_issue.aspx

WOTC - Online subscription to Business Times

31% of the participants in this Wisdom of the Crowd survey are willing to pay $5 or $10 to read online Business Times only. The remaining 69% are not interested.

See
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1414

WOTC - Online subscription to SPH papers

35% of the participants in this Wisdom of the Crowd survey are willing to pay a subscription of $5 or $10 to all the online newspapers of SPH. 3% are prepared to pay a higher fee. 62% are not willing to pay any subscription.

See
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1414

Improving the political environment

When can be done about improving the political environment in Singapore, if a new government comes into power?

I suggest the following measures:
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1709

Tariffs and disruption to supply chains

A major impact of tariffs is the disruption to the supply lines.

What can be done in the future to stop this harmful effect of tariffs?

I suggest the following measures:
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1708

Wisdom of the Crowd

Vote on these issues and contribute to a reliable survey.

https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/active_issue.aspx

WOTC - Military action against Iran

21% of the participants in this Wisdom of the Crowd survey expect America to take military action for downing its drone.

The remaining 79% expect other outcomes.

See the details in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1413

WOTC - Rule of the law

17% of the participants in this Wisdom of the Crowd survey said that the rule of law is fundamental to the proper running of society.

The remaining 83% set other requirements that make the proper operation of the rule of law.

See the details in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1412

WOTC - Chief exective of HK

71% of the people who voted in this Wisdom of the Crowd survey said that Carrie Lam will remain as chief executive of Hong Kong or be replaced by another person who is more pro-Beijing.

This is not what the protestors like to see.

See the detailed breakdown in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1411

WOTC - Cope with economic slowdown in Singapore

77% of the participants in this survey said that the government should suspend GST to cope with the economic slowdown in Singapore.

The remainder chose other options.

See the detailed results in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1410

Wisdom of the Crowd

Add your vote and voice on these issues:
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/active_issue.aspx

WOTC - Best type of government for a developing country

55% said that a socialist government with market characteristics is best for a developing country.

42% prefer a full democracy while 3% preferred a flawed democracy.

None prefer a government with a religious base.

https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1409

WOTC - Future of Hong Kong

50% of the respondents to this Wisdom of the Crowd survey said that Hong Kong will be adversely affected if it does not get the support from China.

The other 50% said that Hong Kong will do well, for three reasons.

See the detailed results in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1408

Allow more flexibility on use of CPF to buy short lease HDB flats

The current CPF rules require the remaining lease of the property to be at least 20 years and to cover the youngest buyer up to age 95 before full CPF can be used.

This forced the buyer of a resale property to buy a property with a long remaining lease.

This is inflexible. It is also unwise for the following reasons:
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1696

Allow workers to opt out of contributing to CPF

The current regulation on CPF forces workers to buy a HDB flat or private property. This cause the property prices to escalate to a high level.

Is there a better approach?
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1695

Keep a bookmark on your browser

Keep a bookmark in your browser for the following websites:

TKL Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/kinlian

#HearMeOUt
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/most_view.aspx

TKL Twitter
https://twitter.com/kinlian

Wisdom of the Crowd
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/result.aspx

Restore court review of ISA detention

I searched the Internet for an answer to this question - can a person detained under the Internal Security Act apply for his or her detention to be reviewed by the court?

The answer is - No. It is disappointing.

The law only requires the president to be satisfied that the detainee is a security threat.

Hey, I recall that the president has to act on the advice of the cabinet, right?

I suggest that a detainee should be allowed to apply to the court for the detention to be reviewed.

The court can act as an independent check against abuse of power by the state.
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1694

Wisdom of the Crowd

You can contribute to getting more reliable results in the Wisdom of the Crowd surveys by voting on the issues here.

https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/active_issue.aspx

WOTC - US China trade war

55% of the respondents to this Wisdom of the Crowd survey said that the leaders of America and China will agree to a truce in the trade war when they meet at the G20 summit in Osaka.

The remaining 45% see other outcomes.

See the breakdown of the survey in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1407

WOTC - HK extradition bill

60% of the people who responded to this Wisdom of the Crowd survey said that the extradition bill is bad for ordinary people as it exposes them to the risk of unfair trial in China.

The other 40% have different views.

See the detail of the votes in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1406

Scam involving taxi licence in New York

The phone call that ruined Mohammed Hoque’s life came in April 2014 as he began another long day driving a New York City taxi, a job he had held since emigrating from Bangladesh nine years earlier.

The call came from a prominent businessman who was selling a medallion, the coveted city permit that allows a driver to own a yellow cab instead of working for someone else. If Mr. Hoque gave him $50,000 that day, he promised to arrange a loan for the purchase.

After years chafing under bosses he hated, Mr. Hoque thought his dreams of wealth and independence were coming true. He emptied his bank account, borrowed from friends and hurried to the man’s office in Astoria, Queens. Mr. Hoque handed over a check and received a stack of papers. He signed his name and left, eager to tell his wife.

Mr. Hoque made about $30,000 that year. He had no idea, he said later, that he had just signed a contract that required him to pay $1.7 million.

Over the past year, a spate of suicides by taxi drivers in New York City has highlighted in brutal terms the overwhelming debt and financial plight of medallion owners. All along, officials have blamed the crisis on competition from ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft.

But a New York Times investigation found much of the devastation can be traced to a handful of powerful industry leaders who steadily and artificially drove up the price of taxi medallions, creating a bubble that eventually burst. Over more than a decade, they channeled thousands of drivers into reckless loans and extracted hundreds of millions of dollars before the market collapsed.

These business practices generated huge profits for bankers, brokers, lawyers, investors, fleet owners and debt collectors. The leaders of nonprofit credit unions became multimillionaires. Medallion brokers grew rich enough to buy yachts and waterfront properties. One of the most successful bankers hired the rap star Nicki Minaj to perform at a family party.

But the methods stripped immigrant families of their life savings, crushed drivers under debt they could not repay and engulfed an industry that has long defined New York. More than 950 medallion owners have filed for bankruptcy, according to a Times analysis of court records. Thousands more are barely hanging on.

The practices were strikingly similar to those behind the housing market crash that led to the 2008 global economic meltdown: Banks and loosely regulated private lenders wrote risky loans and encouraged frequent refinancing; drivers took on debt they could not afford, under terms they often did not understand.

Some big banks even entered the taxi industry in the aftermath of the housing crash, seeking a new market, with new borrowers.

The combination of easy money, eager borrowers and the lure of a rare asset helped prices soar far above what medallions were really worth. Some industry leaders fed the frenzy by purposefully overpaying for medallions in order to inflate prices, The Times found.

Between 2002 and 2014, the price of a medallion rose to more than $1 million from $200,000, even though city records showed that driver incomes barely changed.

About 4,000 drivers bought medallions in that period, records show. They were excited to buy, but they were enticed by a dubious premise.

“The whole thing was like a Ponzi scheme because it totally depended on the value going up,” said Haywood Miller, a debt specialist who has consulted for both borrowers and lenders. “The part that wasn’t fair was the guy who’s buying is an immigrant, maybe someone who couldn’t speak English. They were conned.”

Source: New York Times

What's wrong with 'the FT policy"

Someone asked to comment on the govt "FT policy". I do not know what he meant by the "FT policy".

I suppose he wants my opinion about the govt's approach to allowing foreign workers to work in Singapore.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1693

Making changes in Singapore

Someone asked me - I have read your suggestions on the many things that are wrong in Singapore and need to be changed. Some of your suggestions will take a long time to be implemented and some may not work at all. If you are in charge, what can you really do?

Here is my reply.
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1689

Make your voice heard

Vote on these issues
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/active_issue.aspx

WOTC - Heng SK wants to consult the people

8% of the respondents to this Wisdom of the Crowd survey are positive towards the statement by Heng SK to consult the people more.

The other 92% are sceptical.

See the detailed result in
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1405

WOTC - Suspend the extradition bill in HK

The respondents to this Wisdom of the Crowd survey are equally divided on their opinion about the decision of the HK leader to suspend the extradition bill.

See the result here.
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1404

18 questions for candidates for the Democratic primary election in US

There are 21 candidates for the Democratic primary election in the US.

They are asked to state their stand on 18 questions.

It is difficult for the voters to choose their candidate based on their answers to these questions.

1. In an ideal world, would anyone own handguns?
2. Would your focus be improving the Affordable Care Act or replacing it with single payer?
3. Do you think it’s possible for the next president to stop climate change?
4. Do you think Israel meets international standards of human rights?
5. Who is your hero, and why?
6. Would there be American troops in Afghanistan at the end of your first term?
7. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
8. Do you think illegal immigration is a major problem in the United States?
9. Where would you go on your first international trip as president?
10. Describe the last time you were embarrassed. Why?
11. Do you think President Trump has committed crimes in office?
12. Do you support or oppose the death penalty?
13. Should tech giants like Facebook, Amazon and Google be broken up?
14. Are you open to expanding the size of the Supreme Court?
15. When did your family first arrive in the United States, and how?
16. What is your comfort food on the campaign trail?
17. What do you do to relax?
18. Does anyone deserve to have a billion dollars?

Results of Wisdom of the Crowd

You can view the results of the issues that have been voted and closed in the Wisdom of the Crowd.

You can also give your comments on these results.

https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/result.aspx

Learn from New York Times on getting subscriptions

I just subscribed to New York Times for $1 USD a week for 1 year. After 1 year, it increases to $3 a week. I am allowed to cancel the subscription at any time.

I find the weekly fee to be fair and attractive. That is why I signed.

I may continue after the first year at $3 a week, as I find it to be acceptable. However, I will decide later. It depends on how often I access the website.

The registration procedure is simple. I am allowed to sign in with Facebook, which I did. I pay using Paypal.

The entire process was completed within 1 minute.

I like to give this suggestion to Singapore Press Holdings. Follow the New York Times. You are likely to get more subscribers to your newspapers.

As a feedback. A week ago, I tried to sign up with Business Times. I gave up as I find the pricing (after the promotion period) to be too high. The registration process was complicated.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1685

More credible results

I invite you to contribute by voting in the Wisdom of the Crowd website so that the results can be more credible and reflect a bigger sample.

https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/active_issue.aspx

WOTC - Attack on oil tankers

The respondents in this survey have mixed views on the party that was responsible for the attacks on the oil tankers in the Gulf.

https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1402

WOTC - 5G infrastructure

81% of the respondents to this survey prefer the state to build the infrastructure for 5G while the remaining prefer to leave it to the operators.

See their reasons here.
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1402

Wisdom of the Crowd

Vote on these issues and help to get a more reading reading of the Wisdom of the Crowd.
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/active_issue.aspx

A better network of buses

Here is my suggestion on creating a better network of buses to complement the MRT system. 
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1684

Employ contract inspectors to check for mosquito breeding

I suspect that we have a mosquito problem due to the large numbers of construction sites.

Households can also be contributing to this problem.

NEA is probably overwhelmed and cannot cope with the inspection work.

I make this suggestion to deal with this problem
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1683

Allow members to take out CPF savings at 55

I suggested that CPF members be allowed to take out all of their savings at 55.

This suggestion has the support of about 86% of respondents to a poll. The other 16% were worried that some of the members will spend away all of their savings and have to rely on welfare from the state. Roughly, one in six has misgivings about this idea.

This is how the risk can be managed, so that the members do not waste their savings in bad investments.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1682

Create jobs as mentors

As the economy changes in the future, many existing jobs will be replaced by automation and higher productivity.

We need to create new jobs to allow people to be usefully employed and to improve the quality of life for the population at large.

What are these new jobs?
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1681

Wisdom of the Crowd - survey results

You can see the results of the Wisdom of the Crowd surveys and also the comments made by the visitors. You can also share your comments.

https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/result.aspx

ASEAN pact to reduce marine waste

Well done, Thailand, for getting ASEAN to agree to this pact to reduce marine waste and protect the environment.

Asean has committed itself to reduce marine waste at both the nation and regional level.

The transboundary nature of environmental challenges, from marine debris to haze pollution, makes it impossible for any single country to solve the issue alone.


The first of its kind, the Bangkok Declaration that was adopted yesterday stressed Asean's concern over the rising level of marine debris, in particular marine plastic litter, on marine life, fishing, fisheries, and tourism. It said there is also an urgent need to understand the impact of microplastics on people.

Among the ways Asean aims to tackle the problem is to adopt a more holistic land-to-sea approach, strengthen research capabilities, enhance regional and international cooperation, and increase public awareness.

Thailand, which is Asean chair this year, chose sustainability as its theme for this summit, with delegates getting recycled paper notebooks and tote bags.

TKL posts in Twitter

Here are my postings in Twitter. You can follow me there.
https://twitter.com/kinlian

Suggestion to deal with youth unemployment

Youth unemployment is a serious problem in many countries and also in Singapore.

I have some suggestions on how to deal with this challenge.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1680

Young people are concerned about the environment

The young people around the world are worried about the environment.

I first observed this in the campaign by Bernie Sanders in 2016. He was able to attract many young people to support his campaign as he talked about the environment and climate change.

The young people in Singapore are also passionate about this issue.

Recently, I posted a simple message about not using plastic straw. It reached out to over 98,000 people. Many young people shared this message which went viral.

https://www.facebook.com/…/a.6901471077246…/2791347647604536

Most of the comments were positive. The young people appreciated this simple effort to pass the message

While we talk about the cost of living and jobs, we should also remember to talk about the environment, which is of great concern to young people.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1679

Quora - can China effectively retaliate against Trump's tariffs?

Why are Chinese leaders wrong when they say can effectively retaliate against Trump’s tariffs?

George Tait Edwards, Student of Asian Economic Miracles

Updated Wed

1 Answer These Chinese leaders are not wrong.

Trump is turning the USA into a low-speed internet society. The 5G nationalised system Trump wanted is not going to happen. Instead, a fragmented US 5G system will be built by various enterprise and perhaps completed about a decade behind that of China.

2 Speed of the Hongmeng Ark OS

And have you noticed the Hongmeng Ark OS appears to be 60% faster than Android? See

Huawei's own Hongmeng OS will be 60 percent faster than Android: Report- Technology News, Firstpost

The upgraded Huawei 5G and 6G is the way to a faster internet future of things and services, but that can no longer happen in the USA. But it will happen in China.

See What is Huawei Ark OS and how will it change the smartphone industry in China and USA?

If China bans the use of Chinese software and hardware in the USA, and produces its own world-reaching high-tech components and systems, then America loses the only manufacturing advantage it now has in high-end computer devices.

3 Discussion: The Only Power Trump Possesses Is To Decrease the US Economy, and he’s doing that.

George Tait Edwards's answer to Why did Trump accelerate the demise of American tech leadership for the sake of his trade war with China?

George Tait Edwards's answer to How will Trump's ban on 5G/G5 technology plus his ban on Google use by Huawei affect the American and Chinese economies? and

George Tait Edwards's answer to What would be the best possible outcome of Trump's Trade War?

Working in the gig economy

Many people have the opinion that driving a private hire car or deliver food is a job of last resort. Older people who lost their jobs or young people who cannot find a job are forced to take up these jobs because they have to make a living.

We need to change this mindset.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1678

WOTC - Infrastructure spending

7% of the participants in this Wisdom of the Crowd survey said that Singapore should continue our current high rate of spending to build the best infrastructure in the world. The other participants said that voted against this idea and gave other reasons, as stated here.
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1400

WOTC - US China trade war

70% of the participants in this survey in the Wisdom of the Crowd said that President Trump will not end the trade war unless China agrees to his demands, while the remainder said that he is keen to strike a deal.

See their reasons here.
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1400

AI and self driving cars

If you are interested to know about artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning and self driving cars, you can follow this development

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1665

Make our voice heard

We should be more active in making our voice heard on public issues. We cannot leave it to other people.

Read this article
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1673

Wisdom of the Crowd

Vote on these issues. You are helping to increase the sample size and get more reliable results.

https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/active_issue.aspx

Passwords to access websites

Do you agree that many websites make it difficult for users to create a password that they can easily remember, without writing it down.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1672

WOTC - Police permit for public assembly

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd - does the police make it difficult to get a permit for a public assembly?

12% said that the police issue a permit quickly for an assembly that is supportive of the government. The remaining 88% said that the permit is slow in being granted.

See the result here
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1399

WOTC - Should a large scale protest be allowed in Singapore?

I asked the question in the Wisdom of the Crowd - should a protest similar to Hong Kong be allowed in Singapore.

5% of the respondents said that the protest could lead to rioting, but the remaining 95% are in favor of allowing such a protest.

https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1398

Difficult to register for Business Times Online

I received an email asking me to subscribe to Business Times online for $0.99 per month.

I clicked on the link and proceed to register.

I had the trouble with the following:

a) They require my password to be at least 8 characters with capital and lower case.

b) I have to give my address with level and unit number.

After creating the password that match their requirement, I have to write it down somewhere - as it is not my usual password format.

Why do they need to have such a format? This is not something that hackers are interested in.

I could not pass through the address check. My address does not have a level and unit number.

They provided a telephone number and email address for me to seek help.

Before I could call their telephone number and hope that it does not get me to a "terrible call center", I saw that the subscription is $0.99 for 3 months and it will automatically revert to $34 a month (or thereabout) after that. This was too costly to me.

I abandon the registration process.

I wish our business organizations are more transparent in their operations.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1666

Tesla may be ahead in self driving cars

I heard an interesting view expressed by an analyst that is bullish on Tesla. (The majority of analysts are still negative on Tesla).

This analyst said that Tesla has leased many cars to drivers. At the end of the lease, the cars are returned to Tesla.

Tesla will be able to use the data that is recorded in the cars to do machine learning and improve their self driving algorithm.

This will put Tesla a few years ahead of competitors in the self driving market.

The market for self driving cars will be a very large one, perhaps in the trillion of dollars.

Although he did not mention it, I think it is also possible for Tesla to ask their customers to share their data, maybe for a modest payment.

In developing the intelligent algorithms for self driving, the access to data is critical. Tesla appears to be ahead of all of their competitors in this field.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1665

Express a view respectfully, objectively and without being persona

It is possible to express a view respectfully, objectively and without being personal. I do it all the time.

You can just state your views and give your reasons. You do not need to criticize another person's view, even if you disagree with it. You should not pass personal remarks about the other person that you disagree with.

Over the past decades, I observed that many people tend to be judgmental, i.e. they judge the view of another person and pass personal remarks. Often, their judgment is wrong because they do not check their facts or they misinterpret the view that is being stated.

There is a saying - give a dog a bad name and hang him. This best describes the behavior that I see quite often.

Their judgment and criticism reflect an arrogant attitude. They think that they are right and other people are wrong. They may be the ignorant person.

It is better to avoid being judgmental and to state your view respectfully, objectively and without being personal. This is being constructive and useful.

Tan Kin Lian

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1664

Hong Kong dilemma

Hong Kong is in a dilemma. The people want to have democracy and free market.

But the economy is under the control of a few large tycoons who owned most of the private land.

Under the free market, the land price escalates to a level that is unaffordable to the local people, especially the young ones.

If they want lower housing cost and lower cost of living, they have to accept a government that is more in control and more socialist in their approach.

The people have to decide what they want. They cannot expect the free market to produce a lower cost of living and lower cost of housing.

Tan Kin Lian

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1663

Wisdom of the Crowd

Vote on these issues in the Wisdom of the Crowd.
You will help to provide a better sense of what the people are thinking.
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/active_issue.aspxC

WOTC - Key features of democracy

I posed this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd - what are the most important features of democracy.

One man one vote and rule of law together account for only 13% of the replies.

What other features are more important?

Find out the answer here.
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1396

WOTC - Protest against extradition law in HK

It was reported that one million people in Hong Kong came out in protest against the extradition law. The police however said the actual number is 250,000.

Why do so many people came out to protest?

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd. Here are the responses.
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1397

Attitude towards work

There are many reports that many local PMETs are being retrenched and in some cases, replaced by foreigners. Is the work attitude of the locals a factor that cause employers to prefer foreigners?

I like to bring up this case for discussion.
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1662

Myths about China

Here are five myths about China that needs to be debunked. The article is written for anyone who has the misconceptions about China - Americans and people around the world, including some people in Singapore.

https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/five-myths-about-china-must-be-debunked-trade-war-us-can-end

Funding of political parties in Thailand

There is an ISEAS report on the funding of political parties in Thailand. It is quite interesting to learn how they deal with the problem of funding the political parties.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Thailand introduced the Political Party Development Fund in 1998 as a means of providing state subsidies for political parties.

Law makers hoped that such financing would be an effective means of curbing illicit fundraising and vote buying. More importantly, subsidization would support small and new parties and promote their organizational development.

The Political Party Development Fund proved a double-edged sword, however. While it provided resources for the development of parties, it also encouraged small parties to set up numerous branches and to increase their membership for the purpose of maximizing their shares of subsidies.

The 2017 Organic Law on Political Parties introduced a new method of allocating Political Party Development Fund subsidies to political parties, with the goal of solving corruption problems associated with the existence of many small parties.

My speculative portfolio

The loss on my speculative portfolio has reduced to $12,000. At the worst point, the loss was $22,000.

Not to worry. I had realised a profit of $22,000 from earlier trades. So, at the worst point, I broke even.

My biggest loss was on Sinopec. That position was caused by a mistake. I had intended to clear the position at a profit but instead submitted a BUY instead of a SELL order. The stock had been going down for several weeks. It may turn around now.

The dividend yield on this stock is 10%. So, I can afford to hold it until it recovers and enjoy the dividend.

Wisdom of the Crowd

Vote on these issues and win a prize.
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/active_issue.aspx

WOTC - Ban on export of rare earth

What will be the impact of a ban by China in the export of rare earth to US?

Here are the results of the votes in the Wisdom of the Crowd.
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?id=1394

WOTC - Protest against HK extradition law

How should the HK govt deal with the large protest against the extradition law?

Here are the votes of the participants in this survey.
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1395

Work of teachers

I am surprised to read that our teachers work 46 hours a week of which only 18 hours are spent on teaching and the other 28 hours on administrative and school activities.

Teachers in the other countries participating in the OECD survey worked an average of 39 hours of which 21 hours are spent on teaching and 18 hours on other work.

Why do our teachers have to spend so much time on non-teaching work, i.e. 10 hours more than teachers elsewhere?

https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/singapore-teachers-working-fewer-hours-still-more-international-peers-oecd-survey

Driving licence of elderly drivers

Should drivers above 65 be required to take their driving test again, as suggested by this writer?

At present, they are required to pass a medical examination to get renewal of their licence after age 65

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1651

Wisdom of the crowd

Vote on these issues and win a prize
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/active_issue.aspx

WOT - PM Lee's remarks on Vietnam invasion of Cambodia in 1978

None of the respondents to this Wisdom of the Crowd survey is willing to come forward to side PM Lee over his comments about the invasion of Cambodia by Vietnam in 1978.

However 9% felt that the criticisms by the netizens of these two countries are unwarranted.

https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart3.aspx?id=1393

WOTC - Electric cars

Over two thirds of the respondents to the Wisdom of the Crowd expect electric cars to be used in the near future. See their votes here:

https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart3.aspx?id=1392

Learn by experiments

Some truths can only be discovered by experiments. It cannot be found from Google or from what other people say.

I share two examples.

Example One
I have a $8 smart which that is sync to my mobile phone. I was not sure whether the measurement of the steps is made by the watch or the phone.

I checked Google and got confusing answers.

I carried out an experiment and found that my watch measured the steps. This applied to my situation.

In another situation, it is possible for a mobile phone to measure the steps, but you have to carry the mobile phone and activate an appropriate app that uses the pedometer sensor in the phone.

Example Two
I put my mobile phone (with a temperature app) into the fridge to test if the app could measures the temperature. It did not work.

I download another app and found that there is no ambient temperature sensor in my phone.

I will be looking for another mobile phone that has this sensor. I want to test the accuracy of the temperature measurement. 

Lesson
A few years ago, I put my iPhone into the fridge to see if it could measure the temperature. I found that it did not work and shared the result.

Some young people laughed at my experiment and declared that I was stupid not to know how the app works. Even the SGAG website suggested that I was stupid. More than 10,000 followers of SGAG, mostly young people, joined the band wagon to laugh at me.

These people thought they were smart because they declare that it was not possible for a mobile phone to measure the temperature.

How do they know? The believe from what their friends say or what the experts say. They do not know how to find out for themselves and to use their common sense and judgment.

Well, the truth is - a mobile phone can measure the temperature if it is an ambient temperature sensor.

These people who think that they are smart should learn to be more humble. They should not laugh at people who learn by carrying out an experiment.

Tan Kin Lian

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1649

Message from Bernie Sanders

Here is a message from Bernie Sanders, who is competing in the primary election for the Democratic Party in USA. What he said about America also applies to Singapore.

Dear Kin Lian

During the last 45 years there have been a lot of campaign promises made by candidates, a lot of political party platforms, a lot of great speeches and a lot of important pieces of legislation passed.

But, at the end of all of that, we have to ask ourselves some very simple questions that are too rarely asked.

Why, despite huge increases in technology and worker productivity, is the average American worker today – in real, inflation-accounted-for dollars – earning no more than he or she did in 1974?

Why are half of our people living paycheck to paycheck, with no money in the bank and scared to death that their car might break down or that a family member could end up in the hospital?

Why, in the last 30 years, has there been a massive transfer of wealth from the working families of this country to the very rich – with the top 1% seeing its wealth increase by $21 trillion – while the bottom half saw a $900 billion decline in its wealth?

Why, for the first time in the modern history of our country, is the younger generation experiencing a lower standard of living than their parents with more debt, lower wages and less home ownership?

Why, in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, do we have more people incarcerated than any other nation?

Why are we the only major country on earth not to guarantee health care to all, while we pay by far the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs?

Why will 500,000 Americans sleep out on the streets tonight while millions of others are paying 40 or 50 percent of their limited incomes for housing?

Why is there a gap in life expectancy of 15 years between the wealthiest Americans and the poorest, with life expectancy in our country actually in decline?

Why do we have more wealth and income inequality than any other major nation with the disparity between the rich and poor growing wider? Three individuals now own more wealth than the bottom half of America, the top one percent owns more wealth than the bottom 92 percent and 49 percent of all new income goes to the top one percent.

And here is the reason why.

Unfettered capitalism works extraordinarily well for the very rich and powerful special interests, while it is a disaster for ordinary Americans. While the billionaire class becomes richer, tens of millions of Americans are unable to afford the basic necessities of life – decent food, shelter, housing and education – and many are going deeper and deeper into debt.

What differentiates our campaign from all others is the understanding that real change in this country will not occur unless we have the courage to build a political revolution – unless millions of people stand up and take on the greed of the powerful special interests that control so much of our economic and political life.

We must not only win this election. We must build the kind of powerful grassroots movement that can bring transformative change to the country.

Together, we must finally confront the power structure of this country whose greed has done so much harm to the economic and moral fabric of America.

Our job is to take on Wall Street and break up the major financial institutions that have so much power over our economy. Our job is to take on the insurance industry and move this country to a Medicare for all single payer program. Our job is to take on the pharmaceutical industry and lower prescription drugs by half. Our job is to take on the fossil fuel industry and save the planet by transforming our energy system away from fossil fuels and into energy efficiency and sustainable energy. Our job is to take on the military industrial complex, cut military spending and end endless wars. Our job is to take on the prison industrial complex, end private prisons and mass incarceration. Our job, finally, is to bring about comprehensive immigration reform.

It goes without saying that what we are trying to do is enormously difficult. We are taking on the entire economic and political establishment. In that regard, I am reminded of the remarks that President Franklin D. Roosevelt made during his campaign in 1936 when he talked about the corporate elite of his time.

“Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me — and I welcome their hatred.”

We are not going to run away from the power of corporate America. We will confront it and we will win.

In solidarity,

Bernie Sanders

Can Hong Kong thrive as an independent country?

64% of the participants in my Facebook poll said that Hong Kong will do well, if it is independent of China.

I belong to the 36%. I think it will be a disaster for Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's role is to be a port or hub to serve China. That role can be easily taken by Shanghai or other cities.

If Hong Kong breaks away from China, and China does not support the economy of Hong Kong, the damage will be severe.

What can Hong Kong do, if it is not connected to the China economy?

Someone said that Hong Kong depends on power and water from China. It will be very costly for Hong Kong to become self sufficient in these utilities.

It may be possible to look at Singapore as a model for an independent Hong Kong. But it takes a few decades for the Singapore economic model to be created. Relationships and trust have to be build.

Even so, the Singapore model will become challenged in the midst of changes in the world.

So, it is better for the people of Hong Kong to consider the implications of a split in economic relations with China, even though it may not lead to full independence.

Links to TKL Posts

Here are the links that you can save in your browser to get immediate access to my posts

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/kinlian

#HearMeOut
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/most_view.aspx


Wisdom of the Crowd
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/result.aspx

Massive protests in Hong Kong against the extradition bill

What are the reasons for the massive protest in Hong Kong against the extradition bill?

There are several underlying reasons:
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1648

WOTC - Smart Nation project

What are the reasons for Singapore to embark on the Smart Nation project? Here are the answers given by some participants.

https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1391

WOTC - Air conditioning of subsidised wards

86% of the participants in this survey said that the subsidised wards in the hospitals should be air conditioned. They do not agree with the current practice of making the subsidised wards non air conditioned to push the patients to the non-subsidised wards.

More details here:
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1390

WOTC - Vietnam invasion of Cambodia

How should LHL deal with the uproar over this remark about the Vietnam invasion of Cambodia?

None of the respondents agree with this approach of just keeping quiet.

What do they suggest? See the result here.
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=1389

WOTC - 5G network

Who should build the 5G network in Singapore. The views are quite divided. See the result here.

https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?id=1388

Realities about democratic systems

This is a translation of an article in Chinese. I am not able to locate the source of the article.

Democracy must face 5 cruel realities:
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=1644

Vote - do you agree with this observation about the flaws in democratic system? It does not say that democracy is worse than other systems.

BBC Interview - America does not represent the world

Watch this 2.5 minute clip of the interview given by the founder of Huawei to BBC.

More importantly, read the 6,200 comments. They come from many countries - and most express support for Huawei. They are not fake comments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju1epxXUPkQ

Protest against the HK extradition bill

I do not wish to join the bandwagon and criticize the Hong Kong government for presenting the extradition bill to their legislature.

I also do not join the bandwagon in supporting the large numbers of people who have come out in protests against the bill.

I watched several videos explaining the issues on both side. I put the links below.

Here are my conclusions:

a) The HK govt has a valid reason to update the extradition law.
b) The protestors are worried that the law can be used to send HK residents for unfair trial in China.
c) There is still a deep distrust of the justice system in China.
d) I believe that the fear and distrust is exaggerated and not justified. It is probably fanned by people who have vested interests or bad intent towards China.
e) I commend the decision of the HK Chief Executive to suspend the bill. The govt now has the opportunity to make changes that will address the fear and distrust of the protesters.

I wish the HK govt and the protesters all the best in finding a better solution.

Here are the links:
Honorary Professor of Law at HK University
https://www.chinadailyhk.com/articles/186/73/64/1560307116859.html

Nathan Rich
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCokRDKR89c

Dr. Margaret Ng
https://www.facebook.com/kinlian/videos/424346051485054/

Political systems

In a communist country, the communist party is the highest authority. The country may have a legislature but it is ultimately under the control of the communist party.

In a monarchy, the sovereign (king or queen) it the highest authority.

In a democracy, the legislature is the highest authority (but sometimes they are not able to control the President who is elected separately).

Within the communist party, the leaders are elected democratically by the party members.

In a democratic country, the legislature is elected by majority vote of the people. However, in many countries, the democratic process is flawed and is controlled by big money or corrupt practice.

There are also hybrid systems. For example, the system in China is socialism (i.e. communism) with market characteristics. They have socialist principles at national level and allow the free market at the enterprise level. However, their political control is under the communist party.

Each system has its strengths, weaknesses and flaws.

Many people have the impression that the communist system is bad, but their view is colored by the western media over the past decades. They do not realize that the media is also controlled by big money and has not been truthful.

We should not just blindly believe that democracy is good and communism (or socialism) is bad.

The best test is - which system actually produces the leaders that work in in the interest of the country and the people and make the most economic and social progress.

Wisdom of the Crowd

Vote on these issues
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/active_issue.aspx

WOTC - Managing escrow account

In the past, there were several instances where lawyers asconded with the money entrusted to them by their clients and paid into escrow accounts.

Is there a better way to manage this risk? Should a specialised third party be appointed to offer this escrow account service?

See the result of this survey here.
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart3.aspx?id=1387

WOTC - Bicentennial of Singapore

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd - which is a better way to celebrate the bicentennial of Singapore?

Should we create a $200 commemorate note or $20 note or a coin?

You can find the answer here:
https://wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart3.aspx?id=1386